Carrier system for a medical apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a carrier system ( 10 ) for a medical apparatus ( 11 ). The carrier system includes rotation joints ( 17, 18, 20 ). A supply line harness runs in the carrier system ( 10 ) and is run so that it is covered. The rotation joint ( 18 ) includes a tube-shaped holding member on which fingers are formed which hold a rotation joint. A joint element, which is rotatably journalled in a joint receptacle, is provided in the rotation joint ( 20 ). The joint element has a wave-shaped section which is connected via a connecting section to an annularly-shaped section functioning to accommodate a connecting arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A support system for a medical apparatus is, for example,manufactured by Carl Zeiss of Oberkochen, Germany, under the productdesignation “NC-4-Floor Stand” and “NC-4-Ceiling System”. Correspondingsupport systems are also offered by the Leica Company under the productdesignation “OHS-1 Floor Stand”. The Altvic Italia Company likewiseoffers such support systems for sale. These support systems have severallinkage arms which, for example, support a surgical microscope. Wiringharnesses are mounted on these linkages which supply the surgicalmicroscope with electrical energy and make possible the transmission ofdata with a video system. Also, these wiring harnesses can be in theform of light conductors and make available illuminating light forilluminating regions to be viewed.

[0002] German patent publication 2,643,780 discloses a tiltable floorlamp which includes a ball joint having a cable passthrough in the lampbase. A telescope tube arrangement is accommodated on this ball jointwherein a lamp cable is guided. Limiting pins and limiting bars areprovided in the telescope tubes in order to avoid an excessive twistingof the telescope tubes relative to each other.

[0003] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,219, a ball joint is described which canbe clamped tight by means of a cap nut and which is configured to have acable passthrough. This ball joint is part of a connector.

[0004] Surgical microscopes utilized to carry out surgical procedurescan hold the danger of a source of infection. For this reason, steriledrapes are usually pulled over the surgical microscopes for surgery. Thedrape ensures, on the one hand, a freedom of germs and, on the otherhand, protects the surgical microscope against contamination. Surgicalmicroscopes are increasingly used in dental work and in the area of ENTmedical practice on an everyday basis. In this area of use, therequirements as to sterility and cleanliness of apparatus are not ashigh as in operating rooms. Nonetheless, an easy cleaning of apparatusand instruments which are utilized in this area is desirable.

[0005] Freely guided cables, recesses and projections on a supportsystem can, however, be cleaned only with difficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to providea support system for a medical apparatus which can be easily cleaned andcan be used for minor surgical procedures also without a sterile drapebecause a certain minimum sterility can be established in a simplemanner such as by wiping down the apparatus.

[0007] The support system of the invention has at least one holding armwhich has a joint unit connected on one carrier arm and a supply wireharness which runs on the holding arm and on the carrier arm. The jointunit has means for compensating for a load torque. The course of thesupply wiring harness is covered from the holding arm to the carrierarm.

[0008] In this way, a guide for a cable harness is provided which avoidsdangling cable loops to effect the operation of the apparatus.

[0009] According to another feature of the invention, means are providedfor limiting rotation. In this way, an excessive twisting of a cableharness passing through the joint unit is prevented.

[0010] According to another feature of the invention, a cablepassthrough channel is formed on the holding arm. In this way, aseparation of the cable harness and the drive is made possible.

[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the cable guidechannel is covered by a plastic strip. In this way, easy accessibilityto a cable harness disposed in the carrier arm is ensured.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention, a guide slot isprovided on the holding arm to guide the plastic strip. In this way, theplastic strip can be easily removed.

[0013] According to another feature of the invention, a first holdingarm and a second holding arm are provided for accommodating a medicalapparatus. The first holding arm is carried by the carrier arm and thesecond holding arm is configured as a connecting arm for the medicalapparatus. In this way, the medical apparatus can be positioned in atleast two degrees of freedom of movement.

[0014] According to another feature of the invention, the first holdingarm and the second holding arm are connected by a joint unit to whichmeans for compensating a torque load are assigned. In this way, asubstantially force-free movement of the medical-optical apparatus ismade possible.

[0015] According to still another feature of the invention, the secondholding arm is configured to have an O-shape. In this way, aweight-saving assembly group with a high stability is provided for thecarrier system.

[0016] According to another feature of the invention, a covering isprovided in the joint unit for connecting the first holding arm to thesecond holding arm. In this way, excellent accessibility to the cableharness at the joint unit is ensured.

[0017] According to another feature of the invention, the joint unit isconfigured as a rotating joint which includes a joint element rotatablyjournalled in a joint receptacle. The joint element has a wave-shapedsection which is connected via a connecting section to anannularly-shaped section functioning to accommodate a connecting arm. Inthis way, a stable joint connection is provided which permits a cableharness to be guided therethrough while providing a weight-savingconfiguration.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, bores are providedfor rotation limiting members in the connecting section. These rotationlimiting members effect a limiting of rotation via a stop lug configuredin the joint receptacle. In this way, a desired limiting of rotation canbe adjusted by setting rotation limiting members in bores.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the supply line harnessis guided through the annularly-shaped section. In this way, a movementof a cable harness, which is guided through the rotation joint, isminimized when displacing the rotational joint.

[0020] According to another embodiment of a support system, a rotationjoint is provided as a joint unit which includes a tube-shaped holdingmember on which one or several holding fingers are formed which hold therotation bearing. In this way, a stable joint arrangement for a cablepassthrough is provided which is built up with a savings with respect toweight.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, a shaft element isjournalled on the rotation support and a tube-shaped sleeve piece isconnected to the shaft element and is connected to the holding arm. Inthis way, a joint arrangement is provided having a surface which can beeasily cleaned.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the tube-shaped holdingmember is connected to the carrier arm by a rotation joint. In this way,good maneuverability for medical-optical equipment is ensured which isaccommodated on the carrier system.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one joint unitis configured as a rotation joint having a cable passthrough. In thisway, a covered cable passthrough through the entire carrier system ismade possible.

[0024] According to still another feature of the invention, the means“compensation of a load torque” are configured as spring means. In thisway, a force-free movement for medical-optical equipment is possible.

[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the spring meansinclude a torsion spring. In this way, a space-saving configuration ismade possible for a unit for compensation of a load torque.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the spring means includea linear spring. In this way, a state of equilibrium can be preciselyadjusted in a unit for rotational decoupling.

[0027] According to another feature of the invention, the carrier systemincludes at least one magnetic brake. In this way, a user-friendlylocking of the carrier system is made possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings wherein:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier system shown with asurgical microscope;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a carrier systemsupporting a surgical microscope;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a further perspective detailed view of a carrier systemwith a surgical microscope;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional perspective section view of thecarrier system of FIG. 2;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a perspective section view of a joint unit of thecarrier system;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a component assembly of the joint unit of FIG. 5;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the joint unit of FIG. 5;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a further perspective view of the joint unit of FIG. 5;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a covering for the joint unit ofFIG. 5;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a section of a holding arm of thecarrier system with the joint unit of FIG. 5;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a further section view of a holding arm of the carriersystem having a joint unit; and,

[0040] FIGS. 12 to 14 show an assembly of components of the joint unitof FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041]FIG. 1 shows a carrier system 10 for a medical apparatus on whicha surgical microscope 11 is accommodated. The carrier system 10 isconfigured as a stand unit 10 and the stand unit includes a stand column12 which is held by a movable base 13. A first carrier arm 14 isaccommodated on the stand column 12 so as to be rotationally movable.This first carrier arm 14 carries a second carrier arm 15 on which acarrier member 16 is journalled in a rotation joint 17. The surgicalmicroscope 11 with a first holding arm 19 is accommodated on the carriermember 16 via a joint unit 18 configured as a rotation joint. Theholding arm 19 is connected to a second holding arm 21 via a joint unit20 configured as a rotation joint. The second holding arm 21 functionsas a connecting arm for taking up the surgical microscope 11.

[0042] The rotation joint 17 makes possible a rotational movement of thesurgical microscope 11 about an axis 22 which is at an angle to arotational axis of the rotation joint 18. This rotation axis isidentified by reference numeral 23. The joint unit 20 makes possible arotational movement of the surgical microscope 11 about an axis 24.

[0043] The surgical microscope 11 is rigidly connected to the secondholding arm 21.

[0044] The carrier system 10 includes a supply module 25 wherein anillumination unit is mounted. Further, connectors for a video cable andfor connecting to a house power supply are provided in the supplymodule.

[0045] A harness of supply lines is guided from the supply module 25 tothe surgical microscope 11. This harness of supply lines includes lightconductors as well as electric cables for the drive motors of a zoomassembly and for a video unit integrated into the surgical microscope11. The harness of supply lines is not visible in FIG. 1. This harnessruns in a cable guide channel which is not less than 30 mm at any crosssection.

[0046] Handles 26 and 27 are formed on the surgical microscope 11 withwhich the surgical microscope 11 can be moved. The surgical microscopeis accommodated on the carrier system 10. Operator-controlled elementsare provided on the handles 26 and 27 for actuating the microscopecontrol functions.

[0047] Means for compensating a load torque are assigned to the jointunits 18 and 20. The load torque is caused by the weight of the surgicalmicroscope and the corresponding mass distribution of the holdingelements in the rotational axes 23 and 24.

[0048]FIGS. 2 and 3 show a part view of the carrier system with thesurgical microscope of FIG. 1 as seen at different viewing angles. Thecomponent assemblies in FIGS. 2 and 3 are identified by the samereference numerals as in FIG. 1 to the extent that they are visible.

[0049]FIG. 4 shows a perspective section view of a part of the carriersystem with the surgical microscope of FIG. 1. Insofar as the componentassemblies correspond to each other, they are, in turn, provided withthe reference numerals used in the description of the above FIGS. 1, 2and 3.

[0050] The joint unit 20 is provided with a gas-pressure spring 40 as amechanism for compensating a load torque in the joint unit 20. Thegas-pressure spring 40 is supported by the holding arm 19. A movement ofthe joint unit 20 can be prevented by a magnetic brake 41 a. The jointunit 20 includes a rotatably journalled joint element 41 which isoperatively connected to the gas-pressure spring 40. The joint element41 has a wave-shaped section 42 which is connected to anannularly-shaped section 44 via a connecting section 43. Theannularly-shaped section 44 serves to accommodate the holding arm 21.

[0051] The holding arm 21 is configured to have a tubular shape andsurrounds the harness of supply lines 45. The harness is guided throughthe carrier arms and the holding arms of the carrier system from thesupply module 25 to the surgical microscope 11. The harness of supplylines 45 runs through the annularly-shaped section 44 of the jointelement 41 and is guided into the holding arm 19 covered by a cover part46. The cover part 46 is attached by only one screw to the joint unit20. A plastic strip 47 is provided on the holding arm 19 and runs in acorresponding guide slot. When the cover unit 46 is removed, then theplastic strip 47 can be pulled from the guide slot. The harness ofsupply lines 45, which runs in the holding arm 19, is then accessible.

[0052]FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the joint unit 20 in aperspective section. The wave-shaped section 42 of the joint element 41is configured as a hollow shaft and is journalled on needle bearings(50, 51, 52, 53). Insofar as the components are visible in FIG. 5 andare described with respect to the previous figures, they are providedhere with the same reference numerals as in these previous figures.

[0053]FIG. 6 shows a joint unit 41 on which bores 60 and 61 are providedat the connecting section 43. Screws can be placed in the bores 60 and61 as rotation limiting members in order to form a mechanism forlimiting rotation by coacting with corresponding projections on areceptacle for the joint element in the joint unit 20. A specificangular range can be fixed corresponding to which the joint unit 20 canbe shifted by placing a screw either in the bore 60 or in bore 61. Thisprevents excessive twisting of the harness of supply cables when thejoint unit 20 is moved.

[0054]FIG. 7 shows a section view of the joint unit 20 wherein a screw70 for limiting rotation and a corresponding stop lug 71 on the housing72 of the joint unit 20 can be seen.

[0055] The connecting region between the joint unit 20 and the holdingarm 19 is shown in FIG. 8. A cutout is provided on the holding arm 19 inorder to easily remove the plastic strip 47.

[0056]FIG. 9 shows the cover unit 46 of FIG. 5 in an enlarged view. Thecover unit 46 has a seat 90 having a bore 91 for a screw as well asholding lamellae 92 which make possible a stable attachment of the coverunit 46 to the housing of the joint unit 20.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the outer contour of the cover unit 46 isrounded and configured so that a surface results which can be easilycleaned at the transition from the holding arm 21 of FIG. 1 to theholding arm 19 and the rotation joint 20. The surgical microscope 11 isconnected to the holding arm 21.

[0058]FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the joint unit 18 of FIG. 1. Thejoint unit 18 has a tube-shaped holding member 110 which is held in therotation joint 17. Holding fingers 111 and 112 are formed on thetube-shaped holding member. These holding fingers 111 and 112 hold arotation joint 113. In this rotation joint 113, a wave element 114 isjournalled to which a tube-shaped sleeve piece 115 is connected. Thistube-shaped sleeve piece 115 is connected to the holding arm 19. Atorsion spring 116 is provided in the joint unit 18 as a means forcompensating a load torque. The joint unit 18 further includes anadjusting screw 117 by means of which the friction force can be adjustedwhich acts on the shaft element 114. By actuating the adjusting screw117, a rotation of the joint unit 18 can be prevented.

[0059]FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the tube-shaped holding member 110 inrespectively different angular views.

[0060] Gaps having a width of approximately 1 mm are provided betweenthe component assemblies of the carrier system which are movablerelative to each other. In this way, a good movability of the carriersystem is guaranteed also in the case of component tolerances. Thesurfaces of the component assembly are resistant to scratches andwiping. The surface is defined by a material which cannot be attacked bydisinfectant agents.

[0061] Any other desired apparatus can be accommodated on the carriersystem in lieu of a surgical microscope.

[0062] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of thepreferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier system for a medical apparatus, thecarrier system comprising: a first holding arm operatively connected tothe medical apparatus; a carrier arm; a joint unit for connecting saidfirst holding arm to said carrier arm; said joint unit including meansfor compensating for a load torque; a supply wiring harness connected tosaid medical apparatus; and, said first holding arm, said carrier armand said joint unit conjointly defining an enclosed path foraccommodating said supply wiring harness therein.
 2. The carrier systemof claim 1, said joint unit futher including means for limiting therotation of said arms relative to each other.
 3. The carrier system ofclaim 1, wherein a first segment of said enclosed path is disposed insaid first holding arm as a cable guide channel.
 4. The carrier systemof claim 3, further comprising a plastic strip for covering said cableguide channel.
 5. The carrier system of claim 4, wherein said firstholding arm includes a guide slot for guiding said plastic strip.
 6. Thecarrier system of claim 1, wherein said holding arm is a first holdingarm supported by said carrier arm; and, said carrier system furthercomprising: a second holding arm for receiving the medical apparatusthereon and said second holding arm being connected to said firstholding arm.
 7. The carrier system of claim 6, wherein said joint unitis a first joint unit and said carrier system further comprising asecond joint unit for connecting said second holding arm to said firstholding arm; and, said second joint unit including means forcompensating for a load torque.
 8. The carrier system of claim 7,wherein said second holding arm is configured to have a tubularconfiguration.
 9. The carrier system of claim 7, said second jointincluding a cover.
 10. The carrier system of claim 7, wherein saidsecond joint unit is a rotational joint including a joint receptacle anda joint element rotatably journalled in said joint receptacle; and, saidjoint element further including a wave-shaped section and anannularly-shaped section for accommodating a connecting arm and aconnecting section for connecting said annularly-shaped section to saidwave-shaped section.
 11. The carrier system of claim 10, wherein saidconnecting section includes: bores; rotation limiting members forplacement in said bores; and, stop lugs formed in said joint receptaclefor coacting with said rotation limiting members to effect a limiting ofrotation.
 12. The carrier system of claim 10, wherein said enclosed pathincludes a segment through said annular-shaped segment for guiding saidsupply wire harness therein.
 13. The carrier system of claim 11, whereinsaid first joint unit is a rotation joint including a tubular-shapedholding member having at least one holding finger formed thereon and arotational bearing held by said finger.
 14. The carrier system of claim13, said rotation joint further including a shaft element journalled insaid rotational bearing and a tubular-shaped sleeve connected to saidshaft element; and, said first holding arm being connected to saidtubular-shaped sleeve.
 15. The carrier system of claim 14, saidtubular-shaped holding member being connected to said carrier arm bymeans of a rotation joint.
 16. The carrier system of claim 10, whereinat least one of said joint units is configured as a rotational jointhaving a cable pass through.
 17. The carrier system of claim 1, whereinsaid load torque compensating means is configured as a spring.
 18. Thecarrier system of claim 17, wherein said spring is a torsion spring. 19.The carrier system of claim 17, wherein said spring is a linear spring.20. The carrier system of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic brakeassigned to said joint unit.
 21. The carrier system of claim 1, whereinsaid medical apparatus is a surgical microscope.